Off the Beaten Path Vacation Stays

Ditch the hotel - sleep under the stars, lodge in a treehouse, or stay in a yurt.

On your next vacation, skip the hotel room and check into a spot with more flair and a unique story (they’re so gorgeous, it’s like they were made for Instagram). Whether it’s a cluster of shiny silver Airstreams parked in the desert or sleeping under the stars on a Manhattan hotel rooftop, escape the boring and seek out adventure on these off-the-beaten path habitats.

Kate’s Lazy Desert Airstream Motel, Landers, California

As if being lead singer and founder for the rock band “The B-52s” isn’t showy enough, Kate Pierson debuted Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel in New York’s Catskills in 2004.Lazy Desert Airstream Motel is the Southwestern sibling, six miles from the iconic Joshua Tree National Park. Six Airstreams have nicknames and are uniquely decked out, such as “North to Alaska” (with native art and cute sky-blue café curtains to match the ceilings) and “Lava” (red splotches on the ceiling mimic a lava lamp).

Treehouse Cabins, Dora, Missouri

Is there anything that lets you reminisce about the good ol’ days like spending time in a treehouse? You can make it a reality again atTreehouses, deep into fly-fishing paradise (with trout fishing a huge draw) on the North Fork River, and near the Mark Twain National Forest. Life slows down here – among its handful of cabins and treehouses is the newest: the 1,200-square-foot River Lighthouse, featuring two whirlpool tubs and sleeping up to six. In addition to two bedrooms and two baths, there is a fully equipped kitchen, a fireplace and covered deck, plus a charcoal BBQ. Remote enough to feel like you’re really roughing it, but comfortable enough to actually sit back and relax.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Yurts, Ontonagon, Michigan

Midwesterners love the remote, raw beauty at “the Porkies” in Upper Michigan’s peninsula, along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Put a new spin on your next visit to this 60,000-acre wonderland by bunking in the park’syurts, 16-foot-diameter accommodations that sleep up to four. There’s no running water (that would be cheating, right?), but rest assured that the yurt comes with cooking utensils to use over the wood stove – great for making some creative home-cooked meals and staying warm on chilly nights.

AVA New York City Central Park, New York, New York

We’ve found an easy way to camp without ever leaving the city. On a warm summer night, what’s better than sleeping on a Manhattan rooftop?AKA New York City Central Park flaunts an extended-stay concept and that includes its Outdoor Bedroom, bookable through Labor Day for guests in the 1,000-square-foot penthouse. This is pricey, but a makes for a very special occasion. This is for people who like the crackle of an outdoor fire—but don’t want to build it. The al-fresco bedroom includes a wraparound terrace, Queen-size bed, fireplace (with s’mores fixings), telescope and a flashlight. Available May - Sept.

Lake Union Floating Home, Seattle, Washington

Emerald City’s pulse point for travelers has long been the water (and shots of espresso, naturally). Check out Seattle’s other angle—floating homes—with an overnight at this turquoise-hue, very contemporary and ultra-artsyhouseboat, bookable through SeattleBedandBreakfast.com and only seven years old. Bonus: stellar views of downtown Seattle and Queen Anne Hill.

Ready to book your next adventure? Let us know how it was and tag us on the #ModernTrail.